Res. No.1231

Resolution calling upon the State Legislature to enact A.2140/S.1312, an act to amend the education law in relation to allowing immunizing agents to be administered to adults by pharmacists.

By Council Members Rivera, Felder, Fidler, Avella, Comrie and Sears

                     Whereas, According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), vaccination programs have eliminated or significantly reduced many infectious diseases that once routinely killed or harmed countless infants, children, and adults in the U.S.; and

Whereas, Vaccine-preventable diseases have many social and economic costs, causing patients to lose time from work and school as well as resulting in doctor's visits, hospitalizations, and even premature deaths; and

Whereas, The CDC also finds that these diseases still exist and can once again become common-and deadly-if vaccination coverage does not continue at high levels; and

                     Whereas, According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), it is critical for adults to be immunized since more than 99% of vaccine-preventable deaths in New York City and throughout the U.S occur in adults; and

                     Whereas, Together, influenza and pneumonia are the third leading cause of death in New York City, accounting for more than 3,000 deaths annually, according to DOHMH; and

                     Whereas, DOHMH statistics also reveal that approximately 90% of influenza deaths occur in persons over 65 years of age and 80% of these deaths could be prevented by vaccination; and

                     Whereas, According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), pneumococcal disease, caused by the common pneumococcus bacterium, is a leading cause of serious illnesses, including pneumonia, meningitis and bacteremia, as well as less serious conditions such as otitis media (middle ear infection) and sinusitis, in children and adults throughout the world; and

Whereas, Each year in the United States, there are an estimated 175,000 hospitalized cases of pneumococcal pneumonia, more than 50,000 cases of bacteremia and 3,000 to 6,000 cases of meningitis according to NFID; and

Whereas, The CDC finds that invasive pneumococcal disease causes more than 6,000 deaths annually and estimates that pneumococcal vaccine could prevent approximately 60%-70% of these invasive bacterial infections; and

Whereas, As a safe and cost-effective way to prevent illness and save lives, vaccinations must be available as widely as possible; and

Whereas, According to DOHMH, New York State ranks very low in immunization rates in comparison to other states, at 39^th in the country for flu vaccination and 41^st for pneumonia vaccination for adults over 65 in 2005; and

Whereas, Enabling pharmacists to administer influenza and pneumococcal immunizations to adults will expand access and opportunities for vaccination, especially in areas that are traditionally underserved by other health providers; and

Whereas, Pharmacists are licensed health care professionals and receive specialized training in drug administration, drug interactions, physiology, pharmacology, and patient management; and

Whereas, Allowing pharmacists to provide immunizations has become the standard of care in 44 states that currently allow pharmacists to administer vaccinations, according to DOHMH; and

Whereas, DOHMH also reports that allowing pharmacists to vaccinate results in higher immunization rates, with research showing that 18 to 64 year olds were 27% more likely to be vaccinated and those over 65 were 22% more likely to be vaccinated for flu in states that allowed pharmacists to provide vaccinations than in states that did not; and

Whereas, This legislation would allow licensed pharmacists, who complete requirements for a certificate of administration, including training developed specifically for pharmacists, to administer immunizations, which have been ordered by a licensed physician or certified nurse practitioner, to adults for the prevention of influenza or pneumococcal disease; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the State Legislature to enact A.2140/S.1312, an act to amend the education law in relation to allowing immunizing agents to be administered to adults by pharmacists.

LS#4244

JA/AS

2/04/08